Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller and Kyle Gallner
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which audiences treasure like Bradley Cooper. Ever since his rise towards fame in the 1990’s, Cooper has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s alcoholic singers, men with grim disorders or drug users, Cooper has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Cooper’s finest strength as an actor has always been strong commitment towards craft. He is one of those actors which has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Cooper has left a long lasting impression. Through his ability to portray bold characters which are compelling, Cooper has created a commemorated legacy that’s lasting. An actor with a strong commitment towards his craft, Cooper has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout a strong career, Cooper has made many unforgettable movies that are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cooper and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “American Sniper” is my favourite. Released in 2014, Clint Eastwood’s movie offered a beautiful tribute to a bold sniper in American history. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and exceptional acting, it’s one of the greatest war movie ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Bradley Cooper, who embodies a lethal American sniper. Ultimately, what makes “American Sniper” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about soldiers, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about an American soldier, there are many reasons why “American Sniper” is a commemorated movie worth watching.
Based on true events, “American Sniper” tells a story of an American soldier. Bradley Cooper portrays Chris Kyle, an American soldier facing circumstances in war that are hostile. Being an extremely trained sniper, Kyle has always been skilled at committing murder. Kyle has scarcely had any trouble committing murder of innocent civilians. However, Kyle’s life changes when he is thrown into a tense war that causes disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Kyle begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to fulfill his role of being a sniper. Facing a dilemma, Kyle questions devotion to serving in the armies in America. Enduring sorrow, Kyle is forced to question whether it’s possible for him to become a commemorated war hero.
Clint Eastwood is fascinated with the stories of war. A world-famous filmmaker, Eastwood has made engaging movies about soldiers facing a grim disaster. His film “Letters from Iowa Jima” offered portrait of the battle of Iowa Jima. With “American Sniper”, however, the director made his first ever war biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of snipers that endured adversities in American history but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Eastwood captures a soldier embarking upon a perilous journey. Evoking Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”, Eastwood demonstrates a soldier embarking upon dangerous missions by handheld camera. For instance, handheld camera enhances the warfare scene. During this unforgettable scene, Chris participates in intense warfare though being a sniper. Using stunning visuals, Eastwood creates a portrait of war that’s compelling. Handheld camera is a complex technique to use in films. As Derek Cianfrance’s “The Place Beyond the Pines” did suggest clearly, handheld camera enhances films about fatherhood. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Eastwood caprices the tensions that commemorated snipers in American history are facing.
Another strong aspect of “American Sniper” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”, Eastwood effectively uses sound design to capture soldiers in war whose lives decline. For instance, the sound-design enhances the sniper trauma scene. During this frightening scene, Chris is haunted by sounds of bombings causing his life to face tragedies. Through captivating sound-design, Eastwood creates a portrait of war which is compelling. Diegetic sounds are tricky techniques to use in movies. However, they work tremendously in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engrossing atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which snipers bear. Through captivating production, Eastwood captures snipers embarking upon a mission.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “American Sniper” is a war movie that’s truly engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture the life of an American sniper. Throughout the movie, Eastwood successfully employs flashbacks to capture the lives of snipers seeking success in American history. For instance, the flashbacks elevate the traumatic memories scene. During this unforgettable scene, Chris is haunted by his memories of serving in the war. Using bold flashbacks, Eastwood creates a portrait of war that’s compelling. Flashbacks are often tricky techniques to use in most movies. As David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” suggested, flashbacks often enhance films about bipolar. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Eastwood captures hardships faced by soldiers enduring a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Bradley Cooper delivers one of his best career performances as Chris Kyle. Cooper achieved appreciations for portraying men with mental problems. With “American Sniper”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It is not easy to portray a soldier that experiences adversity in American history but he pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Cooper has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under intense pressure, and “American Sniper” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the bravery, determination and trauma faced by a commemorated sniper in American history. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Bradley Cooper, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of recognition. Sienna Miller is spectacular, capturing the charisma of a woman that falls in love with a soldier facing trauma. Kyle Gallner is great, capturing strong nature of a soldier determined to overcome a disaster. Lastly, Ben Reed merits appreciation. As a traumatized soldier, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “American Sniper” would earn praise of everyone for capturing snipers that experience disaster. Unlike most movies about the lives of lethal snipers, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses profound themes such as emotion, courage and trauma that would resonate with everyone. Viewers do not need to be familiar with American history to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “American Sniper” is one of those rare war movies that everyone will absolutely adore.
Fans of Bradley Cooper would definitely enjoy “American Sniper” and so will audiences that seek exhilarating entertainment. An engaging war drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about an American sniper that faced disaster, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with charismatic nature that has made unforgettable movies which audiences always treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 